The Uchiha clan (うちは一族, Uchiha Ichizoku; Literally meaning "Uchiha family") was once considered to be one of the most powerful clans in Konohagakure, but is now almost extinct after the events of the Uchiha Clan Massacre.

Founding

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The Uchiha clan was descended from the elder of the two boys entrusted by the Sage of the Six Pathswith the power and will of the way of the ninja. The elder believedthat might would bring peace. The Sage chose the younger as morefitting to be his successor, causing the elder to be vengeful. From theyounger boy descended the Senju clan who would be the eternal rivals of the Uchiha.Before the founding of the ninja villages, the Uchiha were one of the many mercenary clans for hire. Because of their Sharingan, the Uchiha clan came to be known as one of the two strongest clans, the second being the Senju clan. Madara Uchiha was particularly powerful, and, upon attaining the Mangekyō Sharingan,he took control of the clan. Under his leadership the Uchiha grewstronger, conquering whatever clans they came upon, such that, wheneverthe Uchiha clan was hired for a job, the opposing side would hire theSenju.

Konohagakure

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Hashirama Senju,the leader of the Senju clan, grew tired of the endless fighting, andapproached the Uchiha clan with a peace treaty. Madara feared that analliance would lead the Uchiha to ruin, but his clan disagreed, and hewas forced to accept. The two clans came together to form Konoha, withHashirama being selected as Hokage.Madara believed that this was proof that the Uchiha would be madesubservient to the Senju, but his clan saw this only as his attempt torekindle the flames of war. They turned their backs on him, and hedefected. Following Madara's betrayal, the Second Hokage gave the Uchiha control of the Konoha Military Police Forceas a sign of trust. According to Madara, this was really just a way ofkeeping the Uchiha in check and out of Konoha's governing affairs. Overthe years, some Uchiha, such as Setsuna,have figured out this motive's true meaning, and tried to rebel againstthe village as Madara did, but they find that it was too little, toolate to make a difference, as the Senju had already completelysuppressed the Uchiha.

Background

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Following the Demon Fox Attack of Konoha, Konoha'sleadership began to suspect that an Uchiha was behind the attack. Inorder to keep an eye on the Uchiha they were forced to live in a smallcorner of Konoha, creating dissent within the clan. When members of theclan began planning a coup d'état, Itachi Uchihawas tasked with spying on Konoha. Instead, Itachi's pacifistic naturemade him become a double agent and provided Konoha with information ofthe Uchiha. Hiruzen Sarutobi tried to open negotiations with the Uchiha, but time ran out and Hiruzen's advisers ordered Itachi to wipe out his clan.[1]Prior to the massacre, Itachi confronted Madara Uchiha,who had infiltrated the village. Madara, having decades earlier beenshunned by the clan, still held some resentment. Itachi offered Madarathe chance to help him wipe out the clan, in exchange for promising notto attack Konoha, a deal which Madara accepted. Also, around the timeof the massacre, Madara met with Danzō, but haven't seen each other since until after Danzō fled from the Kage summit.The Uchiha clan were not completely blind towards Itachi'sdouble agent status. They suspected him of acting weird about half ayear after joining the ANBU. They sent Shisui Uchiha,Itachi's closest friend, to keep an eye on him, but Shisui ended upseemingly committing suicide by drowning. The clan suspected thatItachi had something to do with this death, including the possibilityof forging the suicide note. Because of this, along with Itachi actingas though entering the ANBU was nothing special, the clan becomesantagonistic towards Itachi. Indeed, Itachi had murdered Shisui toobtain his Mangekyō Sharinganand forged the suicide note. However, he denied it at the time, and dueto his mission of stopping the revolution being secret, he acted asthough he was losing faith towards the clan due to them being bound torules and such, and started to disrespect everyone. Even Fugaku, the clan head and Itachi's father, has lost hope in Itachi altogether, and the two had a falling out.

Attack

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In one night, Itachi, with Madara's help, killed every member of theUchiha clan, apparently killing his own parents last. Itachi's youngerbrother, Sasuke Uchiha,returned that night to find Uchiha corpses littering the streets. Whenhe found Itachi standing over their parents' bodies, he realized whathad happened and tried to run. Itachi stopped him and told him he wasnot worth killing, instead encouraging him to get strong enough to takerevenge, even though Sasuke later discovered they had a small fightwhich activated Sasuke's Sharingan, which ended with Sasuke losing and Itachi leaving the village.In reality, Itachi was defying orders by not killing Sasuke, hisbrother's life meaning more to him than anything. He hoped that bysparing Sasuke and making him live a life of vengeance, Sasuke wouldsomeday kill him to avenge their family. He asked the Third Hokage to look out for Sasuke and to never disclose the truth of the events surrounding the massacre. Itachi also threatened Konoha's leadership, and Danzōin particular, not to lay a finger on Sasuke or else risk him goingpublic with everything he knew. Itachi left the village and joined Akatsuki to keep Konoha safe from the organization until the day that Sasuke would come looking for him.